Game closes 277 stores

High street retailer Game's administrators started the company shakedown in frantic fashion today, announcing the immediate closure of 277 stores in the UK and Ireland, and suspension of refunds and exchanges, store credit and the company's Reward card scheme.

While points can still be earned through purchases in Game's remaining 333 Game and GameStation stores, they will be non-redeemable until further notice.

Hardware trade-ins have also been suspended, as has the Click and Collect titles service, advance orders and gift cards. There will also be a disruption to online sales, the administrators warned.

The closures means 2104 staff will be made redundant. The company's CEO, Ian Shepherd, quit this morning. 2814 staff will remain on the company's roster.

Meanwhile, the administrators said they are talking to a number of parties interested in purchasing part or all of Game's remaining business and assets.